Potential of phytase supplemented Moringa oleifera leaf meal based diet on mineral digestibility of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

Abstract

This current study was planned to evaluate effect of exogenous phytase supplementedMoringaoleifera leaf meal (MOLM) diet on mineral digestibility of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. To conduct the experiment, six experimental diets based on MOLM with 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 FTU kg^-1 phytase level wereformulated. Chromic oxide (1%) was added in the feed as indigestible marker. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates was adopted to accomplish the experiment. Stocking density in each V-shaped triplicate tank was 15 fingerlings; fed at the rate of 5% of live wet weight. Results predicted that the fish group fed MOLM based diet supplemented with 600 FTU kg^-1 phytase showed highest Apparent Digestibility Coefficient (ADC) % of minerals and minimum quantity was discharged through feces. Hence, to release chelated minerals in MOLM, phytase at the level of 600 FTU kg^-1proved very effective.By viewing above results, it became clear that phytase supplementation to MOLM based diet is helpful in formulation of cost effective and environment friendly feed forO. niloticus fingerlings.